Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I, likewise, would like to know why those key words, "restoration potential and re-wetting potential" do not seem to have been translated over. The Minister of State gave his rationale for the changes but he did not explain that. In the context of where we are as a country with regard to our biodiversity and climate challenges, surely that wording is significant and important. For example, on page 235 of the climate action plan, which was published only last year, there is a commitment to restoring and rewetting natural heritage areas. The Irish Wildlife Trust has said that it is appalled by these changes and the proposed removal of legal protections. It is asking how the Government can be proceeding to remove these protections when exactly the opposite is needed. Why is that key wording, which is significant in terms of what we need to be doing, not included in the Minister of State's amendments?

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